Melania Trump Criticized for Signing Bill Without Authority

On May 19, President Donald Trump signed the Take It Down Act into law, making the distribution of non-consensual explicit imagery—including AI-generated deepfakes—a federal crime. First Lady Melania Trump, who championed the bill, also signed it during the ceremony, despite having no legal authority to do so.

Trump encouraged her to sign anyway, calling it a symbolic gesture and praising her advocacy. Melania called the bill a “national victory” to protect children from online abuse.

The law mandates that platforms remove harmful content within 48 hours and block reuploads.

However, critics on social media blasted the move, arguing it was unconstitutional and would have sparked outrage if done by another First Lady like Jill Biden. Many questioned the precedent, legality, and double standard.

Trump defended the bill, citing the growing threat of AI-driven abuse, saying, “Now, it’s officially illegal.”